Friday, December 1, 2017

Science X Newsletter Friday, Dec 1

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 1, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Breakthrough yields higher voltage and efficiency for a thin mineral-based solar cell

Cuprate materials have fluctuating stripes that may be linked to high-temperature superconductivity

Researchers look to the fruit fly to understand the human brain

Experiment shows that arrow of time is a relative concept, not an absolute one

Theoretical analysis uncovers new mechanisms in plasma turbulence

Scientists propose efficiency 'rules' for enhancing use of new gene editing technology

Researchers develop graphene nano 'tweezers' that can grab individual biomolecules

Ultrasound imaging needle to transform heart surgery

Study finds reading information aloud to yourself improves memory

Musk's record-breaking battery officially launches in Australia

Genetic link found between the immune system and lymphoma

Datally app launched by Google helps monitor, control mobile usage

Scientists visualize structure of key DNA repair component with near-atomic resolution

New early signals to quantify the magnitude of strong earthquakes

The mysterious star MWC349

Astronomy & Space news

The mysterious star MWC349

Molecular clouds in interstellar space can sometimes produce natural masers (the radio wavelength analogs of lasers) that shine with bright, narrow beams of radiation. Regions of active star formation generate some of the most spectacular such masers—in one case radiating as much energy in a single spectral line as does our Sun in its entire visible spectrum. In these sources, the maser radiation comes from molecules like water or OH that are excited by collisions and the radiation environment around the young stars.

An orbital dance may help preserve oceans on icy worlds

Heat generated by the gravitational pull of moons formed from massive collisions could extend the lifetimes of liquid water oceans beneath the surface of large icy worlds in our outer solar system, according to new NASA research. This greatly expands the number of locations where extraterrestrial life might be found, since liquid water is necessary to support known forms of life and astronomers estimate there are dozens of these worlds.

Hydrothermal vent experiments bring Enceladus to Earth

Laboratory experiments on Earth can now simulate the conditions under which life might emerge on Saturn's moon Enceladus, as well as other icy alien worlds, according to new research published in the September 2017 issue of the journal Astrobiology.

Researchers present list of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko ingredients

The dust that comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko emits into space consists to about one half of organic molecules. The dust belongs to the most pristine and carbon-rich material known in our solar system and has hardly changed since its birth. These results of the COSIMA team are published today in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. COSIMA is an instrument onboard the Rosetta spacecraft, which investigated comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from August 2014 to September 2016. In their current study, the involved researchers including scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) analyze as comprehensively as ever before, what chemical elements constitute cometary dust.

Space technology to drive autonomous ships

ESA Director General Jan Wörner signed a Memorandum of Intent with Rolls-Royce today, as the two entities agree to investigate how space technology can be used to develop autonomous and remote-controlled ships.

NASA's Webb telescope emerges from Chamber A

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, or Webb, emerged from Chamber A at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on Dec. 1 to prepare for its upcoming move to California.

Technology news

Breakthrough yields higher voltage and efficiency for a thin mineral-based solar cell

(Tech Xplore)—The phrase "solar energy" often brings to mind large solar panels on the roofs of homes and businesses or huge arrays sprawled across sunny fields. But there is a need for low-light photovoltaics – materials that turn light energy into electricity – that can work indoors, providing power on a small, continuous scale.

Musk's record-breaking battery officially launches in Australia

The world's biggest battery was officially launched in Australia on Friday, a day after the Elon Musk-driven project was powered up early to meet demand amid a bout of hot weather, officials said.

Datally app launched by Google helps monitor, control mobile usage

(Tech Xplore)—A new app from Google is designed to ease the load off mobile users who are regularly worried about using up their mobile data.

Do smart phones hold the key to making cities smarter?

Whether it's improved traffic patterns, energy savings or reduced noise pollution, cities across the world are actively introducing "smart" technologies to improve the quality of life for their citizens. But with costs and maintenance standing in the way, are there existing resources that could be deployed to bring about the same benefits to communities of the smart city movement?

Discovery could bring better efficiency to a new class of solar cells

Since the 2009 discovery of a highly energy-efficient class of solar cell materials known as HOIPs – hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites – researchers have been working to understand exactly how these promising materials tick at the molecular level, in order to improve the durability of their performance.

3-D-printed minifactories: Researchers print 'living materials' with bacteria-loaded inks

There will soon be nothing that cannot be produced with 3D printing. However, the materials used for this process are still "dead matter" such as plastics or metals.

New laser technology could reduce accidents on icy roads

Researchers have proposed an innovative new solution to dealing with dangerous icy roads in winter, putting forward an improved, safer method in a paper published today in Applied Spectroscopy Reviews.

Chinese drone maker denies giving data to government

The Chinese company that is the world's biggest maker of commercial drones is denying claims in a U.S. government document circulated online that it gives Beijing information about American law enforcement and utility companies.

Remains of historic aircraft found

DEDAVE is an innovative autonomous underwater vehicle developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Now the deep-diving robot has had its first chance to prove itself in action as it helped hunt down historic test models of a Canadian interceptor aircraft in Lake Ontario. The mission has been a success, with two of the confirmed eight aircraft models already tracked down.

'Origami' lattices with nano-scale surface ornaments

Inspired by origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, researchers at TU Delft are developing an alternative to 3-D printing that gives the final products many more functionalities than what is possible with 3-D printing. Such functionalities could, for instance, be used in medical implants or devices incorporating flexible electronics. In their publication in Science Advances on Wednesday November 29th, the scientists report successfully applying their technique to lattice structures.

Artificial intelligence index tracks emerging field

Since the term "artificial intelligence" (AI) was first used in print in 1956, the one-time science fiction fantasy has progressed to the very real prospect of driverless cars, smartphones that recognize complex spoken commands and computers that see. In an effort to track the progress of this emerging field, a Stanford-led group of leading AI thinkers called the AI100 has launched an index that will provide a comprehensive baseline on the state of artificial intelligence and measure technological progress in the same way the gross domestic product and the S&P 500 index track the U.S. economy and the broader stock market.

Measuring optimally with spheres

Bio-reactors are the cooking pots of biochemists and bio-technologists, in which pharmaceutical agents, enzymes or nematodes are produced for the purpose of biological pest control. A nutrient solution (such as heat, oxygen, acid or alkali) is used to regulate the pH value and the desired product is formed. The more optimal the conditions are, the greater the yield will be. Fraunhofer researchers have now developed spherical probes to more effectively monitor and streamline the manufacturing process.

Lightweight, compact VR glasses made possible by large-area microdisplays

VR glasses are increasingly popular, but they have usually been heavy and oversized – until now. Large-area microdisplays are expected to change that, because they make it possible to produce ergonomic and lightweight VR glasses. The new OLED displays now reach very high frame rates and achieve extremely high resolutions with "extended full HD."

Inspecting rotor blades with thermography and acoustic monitoring

Wind turbines have a design life of 20 years. The rotor blades must be regularly inspected at least once every four years to verify their structural integrity. This type of work is performed by industrial climbers. But the problem with inspecting offshore installations is that access is only possible when wind and weather conditions permit. This makes it very difficult to plan inspection visits. In the Thermoflight research project, Fraunhofer scientists are working together with industrial and research partners to investigate alternative inspection methods. The use of offshore drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras in combination with acoustic monitoring systems could potentially improve maintenance efficiency and help reduce downtime.

URI engineering project brings joy to amputees in Colombia

The boy looked at his new arm and grinned. How does that big thing work? What's with the wires? Circuit boards?

Researcher tests new methods to anchor wind turbines

There are lots of moving parts to bringing the world's first freshwater wind turbines to Lake Erie by 2018, but Case Western Reserve University researchers are focused on keeping one critical piece from moving too much: The vertical support structure.

How can humans keep the upper hand on artificial intelligence?

EPFL researchers have shown how human operators can maintain control over a system comprising several agents that are guided by artificial intelligence.

Researchers field testing mobile app for visually impaired at Yosemite National Park

In continuing efforts to "audio describe the world," researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa took part in a project that brought 26 blind and visually impaired people to Yosemite National Park for user testing of the UniD mobile app.

Disaster zones could soon be salvaged by teams of smart devices – here's how

We will remember 2017 as an appalling year for natural disasters. The US has endured its most expensive hurricane season, amounting to over $200 billion (£151 billion) of damage. Mexico City experienced a terrible earthquake that killed over 200 people, while severe tropical storms forced tens of thousands of evacuations in Macau, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Could intelligent machines of the future own the rights to their own creations?

Intellectual property may be the legal term for creations, including literary or artistic, but there is something inherently human about it as well.

Federal regulator gives OK for bitcoin futures to trade

A federal regulator gave the go ahead on Friday to the CME Group to start trading bitcoin futures later this month, the first time the digital currency will be traded on a Wall Street exchange and subject to federal oversight.

Gift Guide: Choosing a streaming device without overpaying

Why watch video on a phone or a tablet when you can get a device for as little as $30 to stream shows on a big-screen TV?

Could robo-taxis kill public transportation?

When driverless cars become mainstream—which could happen sooner than you're expecting—it will change everything.

Report: US agency holding nuke bombs grapples with oversight

The U.S. Department of Energy has its share of challenges as it conducts some of the world's most high-tech research, maintains a stockpile of nuclear weapons and cleans up after decades of bomb-making.

Medicine & Health news

Study finds reading information aloud to yourself improves memory

You are more likely to remember something if you read it out loud, a study from the University of Waterloo has found.

Genetic link found between the immune system and lymphoma

People who inherit genetic changes which alter the function of their immune system are at increased risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma, a major new study reports.

Blocking gene expression improves outcomes in blood disease in models

Scientists successfully reduced the symptoms of a blood disease called myeloproliferative neoplasm in mouse models by interrupting an important regulatory pathway, according to a Northwestern Medicine study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Experts argue for payors to make better use of genomic testing for cancer patients

(Medical Xpress)—Harold Varmus, former National Cancer Institute Director and Rebecca Eisenberg a professor at the University of Michigan Law School have published a Policy Forum paper in the journal Science arguing for better use of genomic testing for cancer patients. They suggest that government and private payors (insurance companies) make better use of databases and registries to figure out if genomic testing can be used for personalized treatment of cancer patients. They suggest doing so would lead to improved outcomes.

Researchers validate five new genes responsible for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Barrow Neurological Institute researchers have completed additional experiments that validate the identification of five new genes linked to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) - also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The new study results, validated through five different methods, were published in a full length manuscript in Acta Neuropathologica, validating earlier findings in the project.

Protein associated with ALS points to possible targets for therapeutic intervention

Scientists at the University of Alberta may have found possible targets for therapeutic interventions in the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease.

FDA approves first-of-a-kind test for cancer gene profiling

U.S. regulators have approved a first-of-a-kind test that looks for mutations in hundreds of cancer genes at once, giving a more complete picture of what's driving a patient's tumor and aiding efforts to match treatments to those flaws.

Study suggests a way to stop HIV in its tracks

When HIV-1 infects an immune cell, the virus travels to the nucleus so quickly there's not enough time to set off the cell's alarm system.

Location, location, location: Immunization delivery site matters

In vaccination, a certain subpopulation of dendritic cells is vital to triggering the body's adaptive immune system, report researchers at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), Yale University and Astra-Zeneca.

Study links common male medical condition and vascular disease

Men who suffer symptoms from varicoceles, enlarged veins in the scrotum, are more likely to develop vascular disease and metabolic disease, such as diabetes, according to a study by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers.

Why do we see similarities across languages? Human brain may be responsible

An estimated 7,099 languages are spoken throughout the world today. Almost a third of them are endangered—spoken by dwindling numbers—while just 23 languages represent more than half of the global population.

Cannabis linked to bipolar symptoms in young adults

Cannabis use in youth is linked to bipolar symptoms in young adults, finds new research by the University of Warwick.

Cancer drug leads to 'drastic decrease' in HIV infection in lung cancer patient

Doctors in France have found the first evidence that a cancer drug may be able to eradicate HIV-infected cells in humans.

Researchers find bacteria tied to esophageal cancer

Researchers at NYU Langone Health's Perlmutter Cancer Center report that at least three kinds of bacteria in the mouths of Americans may heighten or lower their risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Scientists analyze viability of shRNA therapy for Huntington's Disease

Researchers from the Biogerontology Research Foundation , Department of Molecular Neuroscience at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences at the University of Amsterdam, and the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society at the Karolinska Institute (http://ki.se/en/startpage) announce the publication of a paper in Translational Neurodegeneration, a BioMedCentral journal, titled RNAi mechanisms in Huntington's disease therapy: siRNA versus shRNA.

The story of the Elephant Man re-told in an immersive Whitechapel audio tour app

The story of Joseph Merrick, the so-called 'Elephant Man', takes centre stage in a new audio tour of Whitechapel, offering an immersive history of The Royal London Hospital and Medical College through a free smartphone app.

Targeted treatment could prevent spread of pancreatic cancer, heart damage

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine have shown that a new targeted treatment could benefit patients with certain pancreatic tumors by preventing spread of the cancer and protecting their heart from damage—a direct result of the tumor. Higher levels of serotonin among other tumor secretions can cause injury to the valves of the heart over time, leading to cardiac impairment—a condition referred to as cardiac carcinoid disease—in these patients.

Philippines suspends world-first dengue vaccine (Update)

The Philippines said Friday it had suspended use of a landmark vaccine for the potentially deadly dengue virus after its manufacturer warned it could worsen the disease in some cases.

3-D-printed prosthetic implants could improve treatment for hearing loss

Researchers using CT scans and 3-D printing have created accurate, custom-designed prosthetic replacements for damaged parts of the middle ear, according to a study being presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The technique has the potential to improve a surgical procedure that often fails because of incorrectly sized prosthetic implants, researchers said.

Five weeks of Zumba improves the emotional health of inactive university workers

Scientists from the University of Granada (UGR) have proven that a five-week exercise program based on the Zumba fitness discipline improves the quality of life of inactive university workers, especially impacting the emotional aspect, and most of those improvements lasted for up to two months after the completion of the program.

Versatile cancer drugs

Medications that block enzymes belonging to the kinase family are among the most effective pharmaceuticals for targeted cancer therapies. Scientists at the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) at the Technical University of Munich have examined 243 kinase inhibitors that are either approved drugs or have been tested in clinical trials. According to results published in Science, some of these may have more applications than previously thought.

Harmful effects of being overweight underestimated

The harmful effects of being overweight have been underestimated, according to a new study that analysed body mass index (BMI), health and mortality data in around 60,000 parents and their children, to establish how obesity actually influences risk of death. The University of Bristol study is published today in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

New clues to Alzheimer's disease

Researchers probing the complexities of Alzheimer's disease have detected issues involving cellular energy production, and those problems may be an important contributor to the late-onset form of the illness.

Why society should talk about forced sex in intimate relationships, too

In the wake of the deluge of news about sexual harassment and alleged assaults by several high-profile and powerful men, it is important to look at the causes and consequences of forced sex in the workplace – but also in intimate relationships.

Helping young adults talk about decision to abstain, delay sex

Not all college students and young adults want to be sexually active, but talking with a partner about the decision to abstain or delay is difficult. A new Iowa State University study looks at how students initiate these conversations and the strategies they use to explain their decision.

Study looks to flag awareness in anaesthetized patients

For every 1,000 patients undergoing surgery and receiving general anaesthesia, one or two will wake up during the procedure, unable to move, speak or otherwise indicate to doctors they are conscious and aware of what is happening.

Study uses decision support to reduce unneeded lab tests

Diarrhea has many causes, and when there are prolonged or severe symptoms clinicians sometimes consider lab testing to help guide treatment. But sometimes they stray from published guidelines in the direction of overtesting.

Lineage tracing in the gut

Scientists are finding that they can understand organ function (and dysfunction in the case of disease) better if they know where the cells that make up these organs came from.

Allergens widespread in largest study of U.S. homes

Allergens are widespread, but highly variable in U.S. homes, according to the nation's largest indoor allergen study to date. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health report that over 90 percent of homes had three or more detectable allergens, and 73 percent of homes had at least one allergen at elevated levels. The findings were published November 30 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Medicaid access for pregnant mothers improves children's long-term health

Could Medicaid expansions from over 30 years ago affect future generations? Chloe East, PhD, an assistant professor of Economics at the University of Colorado Denver, thinks so. East has collaborated with three other researchers across the United States to study the potential for positive, multigenerational effects from access to public health interventions such as Medicaid.

Access to nature among top considerations when designing buildings for people with dementia

Buildings designed for people living with dementia must prioritise unrestricted access to nature, support for wayfinding and navigation, and the safety of the environment, new research has found.

New discoveries can open the way for pauses in certain medication for breast cancer

It is possible to have breaks in long-term medication against hormone-sensitive breast cancer without influencing the effect of the treatment. Women also feel better if they take a three-month break from the hormone treatment each year, according to a medication study reported in The Lancet Oncology.

Repurposing heparin for inhalation may offer hope to millions with COPD

A drug used to thin blood has been found to also significantly improve the ability to breathe when inhaled by people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), for which there is no cure.

Majority of smokers surveyed think flavored tobacco sales should be restricted

A survey conducted by UMass Medical School students found that 86 percent of Worcester adults surveyed—including 72 percent of those surveyed who smoke—believe flavored tobacco products should be sold exclusively by adult-only establishments. The students will present their findings at the Worcester Board of Health on Monday, Dec. 4.

Could we safely reduce the frequency of treatments for HIV-positive people?

Most HIV-positive people in France under treatment take a daily dose of antiviral drugs for life. However, a major trial is currently underway that may confirm that patients could omit several days of treatment a week without risk to their health.

Living near busy roads may be bad for heart patients' health

While traffic-related air pollution is common worldwide and is the source of many health problems, little is known about its impact on vascular health, particularly among people with cardiovascular disease.

Men at higher risk of dying of AIDS than women: UNAIDS

Men are less likely to test for HIV or access antiretroviral therapy and, therefore, are more likely to die of AIDS-related illnesses than women, UNAIDS said on Friday.

Teens get more sleep when school starts later

A later school start time could mean teens are more likely to get adequate amounts of sleep, according to Penn State researchers.

Missing DNA fragments hold clue to predicting childhood leukaemia relapse

Australian researchers have developed a new risk scoring system for children with leukaemia based on missing DNA fragments or 'microdeletions'. The risk score will allow doctors to better predict the chance of relapse of a subgroup of kids currently hidden in a lower risk group. The finding was published today in the British Journal of Haematology.

Scientists help explain how dietary fat affects stem cell differentiation

You are what you eat when it comes to fat, report scientists from McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) in the journal Science Advances.

Kids and screen time: Signs your child might be addicted

It's a familiar sight in the majority of young families: young children bent over a screen for hours, texting or gaming, lost in a digital world.

Jawbone loss predates rheumatoid arthritis

Jawbone loss caused by periodontitis predates the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. This according to research from Umeå University in Sweden presented in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology. The research also shows a causal relationship between jawbone loss and elevated levels of the bone resorption inducing molecule RANKL in the blood.

Fewer urinary tract infections seen postoperatively at ACS NSQIP-participating hospitals

A new study of procedure-specific trends in postoperative complications finds that most of 10 types of operations have improved rates of surgical site and bladder infections since 2008. However, the researchers did identify an area for prompt quality improvement for another operation, pancreatectomy, for which surgical site infections (SSIs) have significantly increased during the same timeframe. The study is published online as an "article in press" on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website in advance of print publication.

Most older adults willing to play game to monitor vision

(HealthDay)—Many older patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) use personal electronic devices, and most are willing to play a game to monitor vision, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.

Physicians report high rate of uncontrolled atopic dermatitis

(HealthDay)—Physicians rate a high proportion of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) as having inadequate disease control, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in the Journal of Dermatology.

5 things you should know about cervical cancer

(HealthDay)—A little knowledge can go a long way in the fight against cervical cancer.

New method to determine before surgery which prostate tumors pose a lethal threat

The facts about prostate cancer can be confusing. It's the third most common cancer type among Americans - 161,000 men will be diagnosed this year, the National Cancer Institute estimates. Yet according to the NCI, 98.6% will be alive in 5 years.

Women with Parkinson's disease less likely than men to have caregivers

Female Parkinson's disease patients are much less likely than male patients to have caregivers, despite the fact that caregivers report greater strain in caring for male patients.

Study links child abuse, high school dropout

Children who have been victims of violence are more likely to drop out of high school before graduation than their peers, according to a new study co-authored by a Duke scholar.

Sperm RNA may serve as biomarkers of future health, researchers find

Human sperm may hold the potential to serve as biomarkers of the future health of newborn infants, according to a new study by a Wayne State University School of Medicine research team.

Human Vaccines Project presents initial findings from first clinical trials

Scientists leading the clinical programs for the Human Vaccines Project reported today high-level outcomes from two concurrent clinical studies aimed at deciphering the components and mechanisms used by the human immune system to prevent and control disease at the World Vaccine and Immunotherapy Congress in San Diego, Calif. The findings from the studies may provide important new insights on human immunity that the Human Vaccines Project - a public-private partnership aimed at decoding the immune system to advance human health - will leverage to launch expanded studies in 2018.

Lung cancers in some African-Americans and European-Americans may have biological differences

Differences in the genes expressed in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) from some African-Americans and European-Americans suggest that there are racial differences in the biology of NSCLC, which could have clinical relevance.

Length of stay in neonatal ICU can affect behavior of premature babies

A study conducted by researchers at the University of São Paulo's Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine (FMRP-USP) in Brazil indicates that length of stay in the ICU is the factor that best explains some preterm babies' behavioral problems relating to emotional regulation, regardless of the degree of prematurity and the presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Study in Canada identifies sources of HIV discrimination

For many people living with HIV, the stigma associated with their illness is itself a health risk. It impacts their mental health and wellbeing, their social interactions, even how closely they follow medical advice, adhere to their therapies, and get connected into and stay in care.

Yemen diphtheria cases soar amid dire vaccine shortage: WHO

Twenty-two people have died of suspected diphtheria in conflict-ravaged Yemen, the World Health Organization said Friday, warning that a port and airport blockade had created a dire shortage of vaccines.

Health care fallout: Fate of 8M low-income children in limbo

TC Bell knows what life is like without health insurance after growing up with a mother who cobbled together care from a public health clinic, emergency room visits and off-the-books visits to a doctor they knew.

3 signs you'd be happier with a new job

(HealthDay)—Everyone has a bad day at work every now and then. But if you often wake up dreading heading to your job, it's time to consider why you're unhappy and if a job switch is the best solution.

Why evolution is the challenge—and the promise—in developing a vaccine against HIV

To fight HIV, the development of immunization strategies must keep up with how quickly the virus modifies itself. Now, Boston Children's Hospital researchers are developing models to test HIV vaccines on a faster and broader scale than ever before with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Biology news

Researchers look to the fruit fly to understand the human brain

The human nervous system is like a complex circuit board. When wires cross or circuits malfunction, conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can arise.

Scientists propose efficiency 'rules' for enhancing use of new gene editing technology

Johns Hopkins scientists have developed a streamlined method and accompanying efficiency "rules" for introducing new DNA sequences into cells after using the gene-cutting tool known as CRISPR. The scientists say the method, which they based on tests with mouse embryos and thousands of human cells, could improve consistency and efficiency of genome editing.

Scientists visualize structure of key DNA repair component with near-atomic resolution

Cells continuously replicate to repair and replace damaged tissue, and each division requires duplicating DNA. As the DNA duplicates, errors inevitably occur, resulting in damage that, if left unrepaired, can lead to cellular death.

Comparing the amount of energy needed by two species of Galapagos tortoises to flip back over once overturned

(Phys.org)—A team of researchers with members from the U.S., Portugal and France has conducted a study of the amount of energy required by the two main types of tortoises that reside on the Galapagos Islands—the domed and the saddleback—to flip themselves right side up when they overturn. In their paper published in Scientific Reports, the group describes analyzing shells of the two tortoise types, comparing them and then calculating which required more energy to flip itself back upright.

Drought-resistant plant genes could accelerate evolution of water-use efficient crops

Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have identified a common set of genes that enable different drought-resistant plants to survive in semi-arid conditions, which could play a significant role in bioengineering and creating energy crops that are tolerant to water deficits.

Bottle gourd genome provides insight on evolutionary history, relationships of cucurbits

Researchers from the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and collaborators in China and France have produced the first high-quality genome sequence for the bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) and a reconstructed genome of the most recent Cucurbitaceae ancestor.

New interactive technology makes rare cell types visible

Researchers from the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) have presented an interactive technique in the scientific journal Nature Communications for the identification of rare cell types in large samples. Professor Frits Koning of LUMC says, "You can find a needle in a haystack."

Global study reveals major set net risk to rare, treasured NZ penguin

A new review whose authors include University of Otago scientists highlights the serious risk fishing nets pose to the survival of New Zealand's iconic hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin, and calls for urgent Government action to improve the species' chances of survival.

Biophysicists unravel exact folding of a single gene

The way genes are folded determines their activity in our body. Leiden University biophysicists are now the first to unravel this structure molecule-by-molecule. Publication on December 1st in Nature's Scientific Reports.

How many undiscovered creatures are there in the ocean?

"The oceans cover 70% of the surface of our planet, and yet they are still the least explored," says Sir David Attenborough in the opening sequence of the recent BBC documentary series Blue Planet II. "Hidden beneath the waves, there are creatures beyond our imagination." Yet while the programme reveals the wonders of many of these species, an incredible number more have never been encountered by humans at all.

How will climate change affect Arctic caribou and reindeer?

This spring, I spent close to two weeks flying over central Nunavut, peering out the window of a small plane at the rolling tundra below, looking for and counting caribou to monitor their numbers.

From Alaska to Amazonia—first global maps of traits that drive vegetation growth

Detailed global maps of key traits in higher plants have been made available for the first time, thanks to work led by researchers from the University of Minnesota's (UMN) College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS).

Chick embryos provide valuable genetic data for understanding human development

Early developmental research on human embryos is impossible due to ethical considerations, and is technically difficult to perform in other mammals, making resources for this type of research extremely rare. For example, the Functional Annotation of Mammalian Genome (FANTOM) 5 project based in Japan, established in 2000, is a worldwide collaborative project with the goal of identifying all functional elements in mammalian genomes, but it has no Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE)-based transcription start site (TSS) data for human embryos or for murine embryos representing early developmental stages.

Belowground fungal interactions with trees help explain non-native plant invasions

New research published by a team of scientists from the USDA Forest Service and Purdue University suggests that tiny soil fungi that help and are helped by trees may influence a forest's vulnerability to invasion by non-native plants.

Mosquitoes more likely to transmit dengue virus in hot weather

Dengue virus grows and spreads in mosquitoes faster at higher temperatures, but slows when temperatures are lower or fluctuate, suggesting that local weather conditions could have a big influence on dengue fever outbreaks. The findings, published today in open-access journal Frontiers in Microbiology, could help people prevent outbreaks during warm periods by reducing their exposure to mosquitoes or controlling mosquito numbers.

The microbiological art of making a better sausage

Fermented sausages can vary in taste quality depending on whether the fermentations begin "spontaneously", or using a commercial starter culture. A team of Italian investigators found that commercial starter culture produced sausages with higher acidity, and inferior taste, as compared with spontaneous fermentation. The research is published December 1 in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

Researchers make breakthrough in fatal cat disease

A new clinical trial has resulted in a critical veterinary breakthrough - cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in remission following treatment with a novel antiviral drug. This fatal viral disease previously had no effective treatment or cure. Researchers from Kansas State University and the University of California, Davis, published their study results in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

Intra-row weeding possible with vision systems

Researchers of Wageningen University & Research, BU Greenhouse horticulture, developed weeding machines which are able to do intra-row weeding. Our experts in robotics were responsible for the detection of weed based on camera images. This development brings great advantage in weed control on the field, improving crop size and quality.

One fish, two fish—using a new MBARI-designed camera system to count rockfish

Over 90 species of rockfish are caught commercially off the West Coast of the United States, but some deep-water species have been severely affected by overfishing. To help these threatened populations recover, fisheries scientists need to know how many fish are out there and how large they are, so that fisheries managers can regulate where and how many fish can be caught each year. As part of this effort, MBARI recently partnered with The Nature Conservancy, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, and other organizations to design a new camera system for counting threatened rockfish off the US West Coast.


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